Another chapter? Yes darlings! I just couldn't help myself to post something lighter after last chapter. This one will be a big leap in their relationship. But beware. I only have 2 more chapters prepared (many ofcourse to come as I have the storyline already planned out) so next chapters might take me a tad bit longer. But not too long! For now, enjoy!
As expected, the bite wounds on her forearm healed nicely and rapidly. The terrors still lodged in her heart of what could happen are harder to shake though. Blessedly, no episode happened again, which Alastor confirmed every morning after waking up, but it is hard to trust her own body when in deep slumber. In time it might get better but for now she went to bed anxiously and woke up anxiously. The only positive thing was Alastor who, true to his promise, kept everyone safe by sitting through the night next to her. Cattaleya did bring it up once that there was no need to stick so close every night, that she could go a night without rest, but he had laughed it off, saying that he requires little to no sleep and that it was no big deal for a powerful demon like him.
They never talked or acknowledged their interaction after she nearly killed herself though. The embrace forced into the back of their minds. He hadn't pushed for further information either.
Cattaleya puts some papers to the side, finally starting on the letter R of his contacts. Almost done. But then what? Was she going to order new papers? Other documents? Perhaps. Not that she complained but the walls of the hotel were slowly closing in on her. She hasn't been out at all after their one and only shopping trip. Days on end sitting, working, training inside was making her listless. She didn't want to go 'exploring' per se but a change of scenery once in a while would be nice.
A soft sigh escapes her. Apparently not soft enough as the Radio Demon picks up the frequency. "What is making you sigh, my dear? Trouble forcing yourself ABC-ing through the documents? Hmm?" His question sounded partly mockery and partly genuine.
"Not at all. It is just…" Another sigh as she puts the paper back down. "The walls are closing in on me."
"Nonsense dear! I would have noticed if the hotel decided to change its layout again!"
Cattaleya breathes out a laugh and shakes her head. Leave it up to him to pick it up quite literally. Wait, does the hotel actually move? "Figuratively speaking. I have been here for some weeks now, and even if I do enjoy my time here I haven't been outside since we went shopping. I would love to just go out for a bit of air. Not to do anything in particular but to just be outside."
Alastor stands and swings his microphone cane behind his back. "Very well then, I shall take you out!"
"You don't have to come with me if you don't want to. I can take care of myself."
"Again you are speaking such nonsense! Of course I will come with you. A gentleman can't leave a fine delicious looking lady like yourself to wander the streets alone. My mother would scold me deaf! And you haven't been out yet on your own so if you had wanted to go alone, a stubborn independent woman like yourself would have gone already. But it seems to me you are apprehensive about going alone. So come-" He holds out his hand for her, which she takes and he pulls her up from her sitting position. "- go get dressed and I'll take you out for a nice lunch in one of my favorite bistros. What do you say?"
Cattaleya smiles softly, he is not wrong. Going alone still felt like a step she hadn't dared take yet. "Alright."
"Splendid! Go fly and I'll meet you downstairs in the lobby." After she leaves, Alastor tidies up his desk for a moment, humming a jazzy tune before he thinks about his own appearance. It wouldn't hurt to switch things up for once. With a snap a mirror appears and with that, the search for a new outfit. Now, what would be suited for a nice lunch outside in a classy bistro. The answer? Harder to find than he had thought. With each snap of his fingers, with each outfit not being deemed good enough, his smile turns more into a chagrin grin. Why does he even care so much? He looked fine in his red coat. But something told him that he should make an effort and now he would not settle for anything less than perfect.
Finally, after many tries, he settles on black suit pants, a red brocade blazer vest with an intricate design and matching long tie. He rolls the sleeves of his white blouse up to above his elbows to appear a bit more casual though now visible that the gloves everyone thinks he wears are not gloves at all. The black actually his skin that crawls up to then mingle with his other deadly skin color. He adjusts his tie one more time for it to be perfectly centered. Yes, this will do nicely.
With a grin and nod of satisfaction he grabs his cane and goes downstairs to wait for his lovely assistant to join him. His change of clothes not going unnoticed to the only other hazbin hotel resident in the lobby.
"What got you all dressed up?" Husker asks with the raise of an eyebrow as he dries a glass.
"Oh, nothing special~" Alastor says with his usual radio filter over his voice as he takes a seat, leaning his chin on his hand. "Just thought I could make a slight effort in my appearance as I am taking my dear assistant out for lunch."
"You are going on a date?"
His claws scratch the wood, as his eyes shoot wide and his lips press tight. "HA HA HA!" Husker's own eyes widen thanks to Alastor's almost deranged forced laughter. Tilting his head towards an uncomfortable looking angle. "A date? No no no my primal instinct driven friend, this is merely me taking my employee out because she wished for it. Poor thing has been working hard and deserves a form of relief."
"If it is not a date. What would you call it?"
"A lunch outing to thank my employee."
"Right~" Husker stretches the word as Alastor's eye twitches in hardly hidden annoyance. "If that is the case, me and Nifty are free to join as well if your mood is generous enough today to treat employees to lunch."
"Ha. No. It will be only me and Cattaleya."
"Will you be paying for her?"
"Of course, what kind of gentleman would I be if I didn't."
"Is it a nice place?"
"The nicest one is Pentagram City!"
"Sounds good. Taking her on a stroll afterwards?"
"It did cross my mind indeed. Show her around to some of my favorite places which she might enjoy."
"Like what?"
"Mimzy's jazzclub."
"Take her for a dance or two?"
"Naturally! What a joy it would be to take her for a spin on the dancefloor! I have been wondering for quite some time if her steady footwork applies to dance as well."
"... It's a date."
For a second Alastor goes full Radio crazed, eyes glowing and claws digging into the bar as his antlers shoot up, losing his composure completely. "It is not a date!"
Husker's ears are flat on his head, ducked behind the bar as he pushes himself as close to the floor as he can. When the physical lash doesn't come, Husker slowly opens one tight pinched eye to look at a slightly more composed demon. His nails are still digging into the wood and his grin manically large, but his eyes look confused. Panicked even. Because Husker is right. It sounds like a date. But it isn't a date. And why did it matter anyway what it is or isn't? Why does the idea of it being a date rile him up this much!
Perhaps…
He can't even remember the last date he has gone on. Definitely none in his afterlife but when he had still been living… Woman swarmed him. Loved him. Enthralled by his charisma, charms and status as a radio star. They were always all over him in the clubs. But it had been pressing. Annoying. None able to hold an interesting conversation or composure for the life of them. The few he had actually taken on a date were quickly discarded after a few nights of testing physical contact. He doesn't know how to… date.
And besides that, dating is for people searching for a romantic partner. A lover. People date because they want someone to care about and someone that cares about them. To be spoiled and cherished. To give and receive love. He doesn't believe he can do that. The only woman he truly ever loved has been his mother. And truth, he has felt fondness for others after, even if it was just out of the sheer amusement they brought to his life, but he doesn't know if he can give, feel or receive the level of care that is necessary for dating someone.
"Look-" Alastor is quite surprised that he hadn't noticed Husker standing back up and now actually being right in front of him, leaning casually with his arms on the bar. "- call it a date or not, just take her out for a nice time and see where it goes. A fine lady like that would be a sin to lose."
"Ha. Hilarious Husker. A fine lady like that wouldn't want to be with someone who can't have romantic feelings for her." That is not what he had intended to say, but it is what came rolling off his tongue. Which had his grin tighten even more as he looks to the side with a frown.
"You are shitting me, right? Alastor, I know you are not that dull." His eyes narrow on the Bartender's kind of insult. "Everyone here sees it. I am surprised you don't."
"Care to elaborate on that? See what?" It looks like he might lash out this time.
"That she, in some way or form, is fond of you. I can't say I know how far the extent of her feelings reach but she tolerates you, smiles at you when you're not looking and defends your actions to anyone who talks bad about you. She actually sees you as someone who is kind to her. And honestly, deny it all you want, but you are different when you are with her. I have never seen you smile, genuinely smile, at someone after being insulted before. She calms you down and you seek her out every second you get. Awaiting her approval and catering to her wishes and possible wants without her asking to. There is a difference between manipulating and being considerate. Again, call it whatever you want. I am not putting my neck on the line to convince you. But if you keep telling yourself that you aren't feeling a thing for her, you are in for a shitty long ride of denial. One that might end up with her walking away someday."
Alastor struggles to keep his grin wide as the words somehow hit a cord, when he hears heels coming down the stairs. He feels his cheeks relax as he takes in a breath as he beholds her. She wears a tight black mermaid shaped dress with slightly ruffled short sleeves. A belt accentuates her waist and she is actually wearing lace gloves and a matching hat. It is one of the outfits he never thought she would actually wear but bought her anyway. The intensity of his stare actually has her blushing softly, also noticing he has changed as well. "This okay? I mean, I haven't been to lunch at a fancy place before but knowing you it will be more than just fancy." She looks a bit unsure down at her choice of dress, running her hands over it.
Alastor gently takes one of her nervous fidgeting hands and smiles softly. "You look more than perfect."
"You look good as well." A smile breaks wide on her face. His heart does a skip. The treacherous blackened thing.
"Take a twirl." He holds her hand above her head and she laughs softly as she does as told. "Truly perfect." He places her hand in the crook of his arm. "You ready to go?"
Cattaleya nods and waves Husker a polite goodbye. The redness of Alastor's neck not going unnoticed by the bartender who simply chuckles to himself. Boy he was in deep trouble.
The walk was nice and quiet, Alastor for some reason keeping his normally chatty lips closed. Cattaleya didn't mind, it gave her the space to really look around a bit more. The smell is something she needs to get used to. Next to the blood and guts splattered around. But she should not forget it is still Hell and it could have been worse. Soon they are walking into a neater part of town though. The buildings cleaner. Different. Like a step back in time. The sinners here are dressed more in a fashion like the clothes Alastor had given her. She quips a smile at his obvious preference to older time periods. When she sees a sinner with sharp teeth eat its way through someone's leg on a nearby bench she pauses slightly.
"Everything all right, my dear?"
"Oh, yeah-" She brushes a piece of hair behind her ear. "I just hadn't expected to see…. That. But I guess I shouldn't have been surprised to see a sin like cannibalism openly executed here. It does give me a bit of shivers." She confesses with the scrunch of her nose.
Alastor lets out a few flat Ha's. "Yes, they are a toothy bunch." Probably not the best time to mention that he has enjoyed his fair share of familiar flesh in both lives as well. A short while later Alastor makes them stop walking and waves with his arm towards the cute little lunchroom. "Here we are! Leo's afterbites. Where one can indulge in a simple cup of coffee or an entire feast that'll leave your tongue aching for more."
He looks adorable when he seeks approval with those big waiting eyes.
Cattaleya squeezes his arm, which has his ears twitch up. "It looks lovely."
His smile widens as he opens the door for her to go inside. Inside looked even cuter with white drapes and frilly table covers. People inside were pleasantly conversing and enjoying their meals, which also included some… More limby foods. She does pray that Alastor had her normal diet preferences in mind.
"Alastor! You obnoxiously handsome man! Where have you been!" A big middle aged man with orange hair, a full mustache and black eyes walks towards them with his arms spread wide.
"Oh, here and there. I see your business is going splendidly well, Leo old friend."
Leo puts his hands on his big protruding belly and laughs a deep howler, showing his sharp teeth to Cattaleya. His hollow eyes now fall on her. "And what lovely lass have you brought along! It's unusual for you to have something as tasty as that on your arm."
"This-" He puts his hands on her shoulders as he stands close behind her. "- is my new assistant, Cattaleya. A fine specimen indeed in all her features and abilities. But don't let her heavenly appearance fool you. Her mind is just as sharp as her nails she uses as blades. She can claw you up if she wishes to." He presses his cheek against hers. "Just my kind of lady."
Cattaleya blushes furiously about what people would think that might imply as Leo boldly grabs her hand and shakes it wildly. "Lovely lovely lovely to have you here! Your usual table then?"
Alastor wraps his arm around her waist. "Splendid! I'll give you a heads up once we have made a choice from your delicious menu." He leads her forward up the stairs where at first she thought she would find more tables. Instead she finds a small storage area and a singular balcony door. He opens the door again for her with a bow and once outside, she sees there is a singular table set up on the balcony, overviewing the center of Cannibal Town. "I thought that, given the fact you wanted to see more of Hell's lovely scenery, a table outside would be quite to your fancy." He says as he pulls back the chair for her to sit.
"Thank you. It's really nice here actually. Surprisingly." She says as she sits.
Alastor chuckles as he takes his own seat. "And what makes it surprising?"
She puts her hat off, thinking that was a polite thing to do. "Well, we are in a place literally called cannibal town. And yet, everyone here is polite. Smiling. I don't see carnage around minus some occasional bodies. But it is less gruesome than other parts we have walked through. It even smells cleaner her."
His eyes squint in enjoyment as he lets out a few Ha's. "Darling, just because sinners have sharp teeth doesn't mean we can't have polite smiles and manners! It is just the matter of our tastes being different, that doesn't mean we are intentionally murderous or psychotic."
Cattaleya tilts her head to the side. "Our tastes?"
The Ha's stop with a scratch of his voice, being busted on a big slip of the tongue. "Did I say 'our'? Naturally I meant their tastes. I mean, I accidentally might have said 'our' because of the connection we all have as being sinners in Hell! Ha Ha Ha! Let's have a look at the menu shall we, dear! It has been close to seven years since I have enjoyed some of Leo's cooking. I am rather curious to see if he has changed anything at all! Knowing him he hasn't!" Alastor spoke loud, tongue breakingly fast, and nervously fidgetted around, not knowing how to compose himself to look casual and unsuspicious, before in the end grabbing the menu and hiding his face behind it.
"Alastor?"
"Hmm?" He does not move the menu away.
So instead, Cattaleya gently moves it down for him. His eyes diverted and his lips tight. "Are you a cannibal?"
Heat shoots up his face at the direct question. He never felt bothered telling anyone before, even using it as threats and let his lethalness be known. But with her the anxiety of what might be her reaction rises. It is not like she had reacted well to seeing someone gobble up a leg a few moments ago. She hadn't exactly reacted bad either though. "And what would you say if I am?" He tries to keep his voice chirped and in a playful curiosity. It fails.
"Well… I think I would be curious enough to ask if you now eat venison as your demon form has deer features."
Her unexpected remark has him howling in laughter, also thanks to the nerves that had rapidly been building up. He actually holds one hand on his stomach as he says through his laugh. "I do. I actually do."
Cattaleya tries to purse her lips together, keep it in, but his heartfelt laugh is infectious and soon she joins him. She laughs with him. For the first time in her existence, she laughs to her heart's desire. Loud and not a care who might hear.
She continues laughing long after Alastor's has died down, leaving him to enjoy her melodious sounds with his chin resting on the palm of his hand. A fond smile adorns his lips. When she is finally done she takes a steadying breath. "Alright, all joking aside, you truly are a cannibal?"
Alastor nods. "Hmm. Have been in my human life and still am now. Though indeed my diet preferences have changed a bit due to my features."
"So that is your sin? Or have you done more?"
"Murder, of course, because how does one attain human flesh otherwise?"
"Who did you choose to murder?"
"Do you really want the conversation to be going in that direction?" He grins but raises a curious eyebrow. Kinda enthralled that she doesn't even flinch at his answers. She seems mostly curious.
"Why else would I ask?" She counters back.
"Hmm, fair point. I chose the scum of the streets to fall to my knife mostly. Undeserving bastards who no one would mourn. I did delight in a female or two, just to test if the taste was different. Though when I found no significant difference I stuck to the rats no one would go searching for." He tells it as if talking about the weather. She has never killed for herself before, only by order. His actions were by choice.
"Did you ever harm anyone for any other reason than to eat them?"
He thinks about it for a second. "No. Not in my previous life. I was effective and only killed for that purpose."
"Were you ever caught?"
Alastor chuckles as if the thought alone was something ridiculous to even consider. "No. They could not find the Bayou Killer for the dear life of them! Never even got on the right track."
She leans her chin on her hand as well, mimicking the way he sits, getting closer to him. "How did you die?"
Alastor leans in closer as well, his eyelids lowering. "Aren't you in a curious mood today?" His voice is low, the radio filter barely there.
"You are in an answering mood so I might as well take advantage of it." Cattaleya teases a bit, wondering when she actually had gotten the characteristic of teasing people. She liked it. Now she could speak out the remarks and comments she had wanted before in her living life. Those sentences that had been itching on her tongue but would earn her a lashing. "And… I am actually eager to find out more about you. Not the Radio Demon people have told me stories about. Even if I have gotten to know you what I think well over the last weeks, I feel like I've just scratched the surface."
His smile raises more but then it turns into a grin. A sly one. "Let's make a deal." She breathes out a laugh but he puts a finger on her lips to shush her, feeling her smile against his skin. "Or rather, an agreement. I'll tell you some of my secrets and in return you tell me some of yours." Her smile lessens a bit in hesitation. "I will keep your secrets with me, for eternity. Because Cattaleya, I am eager to find out more about you too."
The earnest tone of his voice has her whispering. "You have an agreement."
His grin widens a smidge more before he pulls his finger away, feeling it sizzle from the touch. He moves the hairs from his forehead out of the way, revealing a X. "Shot straight in the head by a hunter in the dead of night. I was disposing of some leftover parts when his dogs caught scent of me. They had already been shredding through my arms and legs as I ran and the bloody hunter must have mistaken me for an animal. I was quite upset to wake up here, finding out that my grand life and theatrics had ended with such an anticlimax. Deemed a hunting accident."
"Did it hurt?"
"The shot? No. The shredding. Thoroughly." not giving her the space for sympathy he asks. "I believe it is my turn to ask a question so tell me, how did you perish?"
"That is a fair return question." She thinks back to the memory that had been vague when first arriving in Hell but slowly became clearer and clearer throughout days. For once, she would dive into details, accepting and facing it might be a way to process it better. "It was a job gone horribly wrong. Supposed to be simple. Snapping a high roller's neck." She closes her eyes for a moment, retracing her steps. "I got the codes beforehand to hack into the security system which would have permitted me to be in and out in a minute. But it refused to work. Knowing it would waste time, my target leaving in less than 5 minutes and 23 seconds, I decided to let the codes be and improvise." Her nail connects with the table as she begins to move it, as if literally walking her movements. "I sneaked my way around the building, clawing up walls and over the security cameras as they would trigger alarm systems for certain. The location where my target was heading would be the garage deep under the 40 story building. But to get down I needed to get up first so I climbed till I got to the rooftop, using the ventilating system to get inside with 2 minutes and 38 seconds left. Target in the elevator going downstairs. The system went all the way down so I let myself drop, knowing a free fall would save the most time and setting in the brake when I only had three stories left to fall. My leather getup prevented any damage to myself. I entered the garage, readying my gun so I could sneak inside the car and then shoot him when we would be further down the road. But I noticed there were no cars. The vents suddenly shut off and gas began to fill the room. I didn't pass out, though I did throw up blood so I knew this was to kill instead subdue. There was a singular window high up where I would be back on the streets so I used my knives as leverage to climb up, breaking the window and squeezing through as I barely fit. I think I cut open my stomach because of the glass but I am not sure. I was trapped, armed men waiting for me there knowing that would have been my only escape route. Instead of shooting me immediately, they waited and due to that mistake I managed to take down 12 of them before I felt the first bullets in my leg, three I think. Killing 5 of them later I felt something blunt against my head but I kept standing. The poison in my lungs slowed me down to a point that left me open to be attacked. When only three of them were left my body gave up and I collapsed. Awake and aware but my muscles refused to move. The last thing I felt was a blade slicing my neck." Her nail runs over her throat and only then she opens her eyes. She ignores that she had almost told the story as if given a mission report.
Alastor could see it play out like one of the movies coming from the picture box. To believe that in her life she had been a woman of such abilities. One would almost call her a liar but the details in which she told it convinces him she is not. That this actually happened. And if this was merely her death, what else has she all done? "The story of your spectaculair death makes mine look rather dull and uneventful. One would almost become jealous of the way you left your previous life!" He tries to brush away the pregnant silence that had followed her story with bright bolstering words.
"I think I rather would have had a single shot to the head in the woods." She says a bit flatly.
Which makes Alastor chuckle. "Fair enough. Though my suspicion is confirmed." His eyes become hooded with something she can't quite place. "You are an extremely intriguing woman. You must have been terrifying to anyone who faced you. I would have been thrilled to have met you like that."
Cattaleya grimaces a bit by his eccentric compliment. "Trust me, you wouldn't have. I was very different back then. Even if it isn't that long ago if you technically look at weeks passed. And one would only meet me when their life was about to end so…"
To ease the visible growing discomfort, Alastor holds up the menu for her. "Take a look dear and choose whatever you have an appetite for. It is my treat!"
And like that, the subject of gruesome deaths and sinister pasts is wiped off the table.
"Okay, a more difficult question. If you had to choose between giving up one of two options for the rest of your eternal life, which would you choose: give up all your gained powers as an Overlord-"
"Really, darling that makes it-"
"-or all your jazz music."
"... Well, that's hardly a fair question is it?"
Cattaleya giggles softly at the distraught look in Alastor's eyes. It's funny to see how the demon tries to weigh the scale of what he would find harder to lose. They have been asking back and forth silly questions for over an hour now, drinks and foods long gone. "You just asked me if I would rather eat a toe or a finger."
"An easy question to answer!"
"Gross. You have mistaken the word easy for gross."
Alastor chuckles as he rubs his chin. "I suppose if I was ever forced to choose with an angelic blade on my neck I would give up my powers as an Overlord. Those I will have back within a few weeks while I can't bear the thought of losing the best type of music ever made for eternity."
"You probably should keep that a secret or else someone will have you cornered in no time."
"Me cornered? Ha! Your sense of humor is immaculate and entertaining. There is no soul in Hell or Heaven that could corner me. And even if they think they can-" His grin turns a bit more sinister as he flexes his claws. "Let them try. It would be a glorious bloodbath." He quickly wipes the look away though knowing she would rather share pleasantries instead of bloothirstries. "Not that anyone dares try."
"I suppose it is a stupid question to ask if you have ever been afraid of the extermination?" His smile only widens as his eyelids hood down as if saying 'silly girl'. She chuckles a bit and looks at the clock in the distance, counting down the days for the angels to come down. Honestly, she isn't afraid either but that is mostly because she does not know what to expect at all. Apparently, angels are unkillable. Lethal. Merciless. And of course large in number. Still, she has not feared death in life so she does not fear death in death either. It would be a loss though to cut her life here short just as she is actually starting to learn who she is.
Charlie believes in redemption. That a soul can change its ways and go to heaven. That eternal damnation should not be if a soul improves. She wonders if her soul can. Not that she truly wants to go to heaven or so but she just wonders… If you strip away the blood on her hands, the fact that she was forced to become a sinner instead of by choice, could she be redeemed? Would her soul be white instead of black? She wonders… "Hey Alastor, do you think a soul can change?"
Alastor laughs as if she just asked him an even more ridiculous question than before. "Of course not, my dear! Sinners are tainted to their very cores. It is a delusional thought to think that one could change its ways and go to Heaven. It is entertaining to watch Charlie struggle to make everyone find the good in themselves but it will all prove to be for naught." His laugh continues but after awhile dies down as he notices Cattaleya looking pensively away from him. "Ha ha, you don't think about actually trying to go up that path? Do you?" When she doesn't reply he feels an anxious pang in his stomach. "Oh darling your soul is just fine.~ You're right where you belong!"
For some reason, it makes her snap. Let her anger run loose even if it's just for a brief moment. "I never asked to become this way." Alastor's eyes widen and Cattaleya takes a deep breath to center herself again, pushing the intense hot sudden feeling down. "You choose to become a sinner. You choose to kill. I never had a choice in becoming one. Never a choice in what I had to do. I was forced down that path. I don't want to believe that my soul only consists of being a sinner…" And that is the center of it. Because through all she has done- "I just always hoped I was not tainted to the core."
It really bothers her. Alastor thinks as he sees a gleam of what he believes is sadness in her eyes. His hand, aching to comfort her, reaches out and brushes a piece of her hair behind her ear, gently cupping her cheek for a second to make her look at him before his hand settles on hers, holding her hand on the table. His smile is soft and genuine. "Like I said, your soul is just fine. It is their fault for judging you by your actions instead of your soul. It's their loss, and our gain. You wouldn't have fit in Heaven anyway. Here, you are free to do whatever you want, be whatever you want. Who knows what kind of rules you would have been bowing to up there. Be Cattaleya here."
He is not going to admit how relieved he actually feels when his words seem to work, a soft smile gracing her lips once more. She turns her hand around so she is now actually holding his. "Okay."
Alastor's smile widens a bit more when he suddenly stands and pulls her up, pulling her flush against him. "Let me see if I can turn that frown-" he taps her forehead. "- upside down. And I just so happen to know the perfect place!" Cattaleya barely manages to grab her hat as he starts pulling her out by the hand.
The interior of the Jazz club is warm and welcoming. The bar and booths are made from dark brown mahogany wood with hints of gold. The podium is empty of musicians at the moment, housing a piano and more, but gentle music plays through the speakers. Even if it is the middle of the day, a decent amount of people are already enjoying an early drink and chat amongst comrades. "What do you think?" Alastor asks with a wide grin as he stands in front of her with a wide proud smile as if he owns the place and he is showing off his baby. For a second she can imagine him owning a club like this. With his passion for music and how right he just looks here. Like he belongs. It is like a picture made in past times. It brings out his charm intensely.
A soft blush tints her cheeks. "Looks amazing, Alastor."
"Is that who I think it is! Alastor, sweety, come over here~" A tinier well curved woman in flapper clothes waves at them from behind the bar.
"Mimzy!~" Alastor calls out the ladies name with much enthusiasm before he wraps an arm around Cattaleya's waist and guides her to the bar. "I would like you to meet someone."
"Not even a how you doing for your oldest friend?" Mimzy asks with a teasing wink as she puts her hands on her voluptuous hips.
"This-" As if they weren't close enough, he pulls her more against his side and takes one of her hands with his free one. "- is my dearest assistant Cattaleya. She has just recently fallen and I took the blessed opportunity to catch her. Isn't she a sight to behold!"
Mimzy's expression turns into a somewhat soury scrutinizing pout as she eyes Cattaleya up and down. Yeah sure she has some special look to her but nothing extraordinary. Without the white wings she would be plain. "Yeah, lovely."
Cattaleya gives a polite bow in return. "Nice to meet you. Where do you know Alastor from?" She asks, thinking it was a kind thing to show some interest even if to her, it didn't truly matter. But she looks important enough to Alastor to make him want to introduce her.
Mimzy immediately perks up as a sultry smile appears. "Me and Alastor go long back. We ran in the same circles when we were still alive. Haven't parted after death either. This hot rod the only one who could drink like a sailor and then keep up with me on the dance floor. That reminds me-" She says as she steps from behind the bar towards Alastor. "- we haven't swung together for a long time." Daring a move only someone who knows the Radio Demon well would do, she grabs the arm that had been holding Cattaleya's hand. "Care to take me for a spin?"
"Actually, I specially brought Cattaleya here to take her for a spin!"
"Excuse me?"
"What?"
Alastor efficiently steps out of Mimzy's grasp as he takes a step back, grabbing both Cattaleya's hands and pulling her to the dance floor. It makes her almost tumble over her heels. "Dancing, dear, dancing!" He pulls again, which makes her bump with her chest against his, arm lodged around her waist again as he gently grips her hand. Automatically her hand lands on his shoulder. "Don't tell me your exquisite trained footwork does not apply to the dance floor? It would be such a shame if I have to teach you. But I would be willing to make another agreement to give you the pleasure of being my student."
The challenge in his voice hits his target. "Oh-" She squeezes his hand and actually pushes herself even closer to him. Toe to toe. "- I can dance."
"Hmm, surely. Though I wonder if you can dance my way." The way his own voice shimmers tickly through the radio filter sends a heat down her spine. Static blasts through the speakers for a split second before an energetic up tempo jazz song blasts through. He doesn't start easy on her. Pulling her, guiding her and twirling her to every part of the dance floor, his footwork and the dance he is guiding her through complicated and fast. But she keeps up. Falters not a moment. Follows every step and swings every way. Eyes on his. Even when he suddenly lifts her up, she braces herself on his shoulders and arches her back, laughing giddily as he puts her back down with a twirl. He finishes with a bang, dipping her deep towards the ground, faces so close their noses are touching. The biggest of grins on both of their faces as neither seem even close to being out of stamina. A bit out of breath though for entirely different reasons.
The music changes to a more gentle swaying song and Alastor gently pulls her back upright, not letting go though as he starts a slow dance. "I have to admit that I am more than pleasantly thrilled to have found a woman that can keep up with me."
"Was that already your best then?" A mischievous gleam twinkles in his eyes but then she quickly sputters back with a laugh and a shake of her head. "Don't, it took me some effort I admit. I haven't danced in a long time. And… I don't think I've ever enjoyed it this much."
"Hmm, well, if you enjoyed it." He gently spins her below his hand before pulling her back into his hold. "I could take you for a spin anytime you like."
"I will gladly accept that offer." They share a smile and dance till they forget the time. Blissfully unaware of the camera that is on them.
Even if she refused to be carried, Cattaleya did accept Alastor's offer to carry her shoes for her as her feet were too sore from the many dances in heels to walk all the way home on. It was way past dinner time, and they had taken a quick bite in the club as neither had been willing to leave earlier. Everyone else would probably be in bed by now.
Cattaleya had not expected to be out for the entire day, but it had felt great. Not a second of boredom or uneasiness. It has been just… Great.
Still too soon, they arrive at the hotel, and ever the gentleman even in the late hours of the night, he opens the door for her. She smiles as she walks in, her suspicion confirmed as the lobby is empty. Even Husker not standing behind his bar. "We did make it late."
"Time flies when being in pleasant company."
She couldn't agree more. He has spent the entire day with her for her enjoyment. Being an absolute gentleman all the time. They had talked. Laughed. Danced. And she truly feels that nothing had been an act, not a way to get close to her or manipulate her. No one can fake the genuine glee she has seen over and over again in his eyes throughout the day. "Tonight you can stay in your own room. Not to sound ungrateful or saying that I am done with you. But you've taken your entire day to take me out. I can't feel good claiming your night as well to guard over me." He opens his mouth to protest. "For me? It would make me feel better if you go get some rest as well. I promise if I can't fall asleep I'll come to you."
He sighs out through his nose in defeat as his ears flatten slightly. "Alright, if that is what you wish." He hands her her shoes back.
Cattaleya brushes a piece of her air behind her air. "Truly Alastor, thank you for today. I don't think I have ever enjoyed myself this much."
Gently, as if he has not touched her enough already, for the final time he takes her hand but this time, brings it up to his lips. "Likewise, darling bird." He places a feather light kiss on her hand, letting his lips linger for a second to savor the softness.
Her heart is supposed to be dead. Then how come that it is almost pounding out of her chest.
"I'll see you tomorrow." The looks he gives her flares her cheeks up. Dear ancestors, what is he doing.
"See you tomorrow." With a flustered bow she takes her leave. Trying not to look like she was fleeing a fire on sight but she was partially not sure that he couldn't hear her heart pacing unnaturally.
When he is left alone, Alastor can't help but just stare at the top of the stairs. Even if she is nowhere in sight anymore, he can still see her standing there. The loss of her not being in his arms already feels… He doesn't know the word. All he knows is that it makes him want to walk upstairs and just reclaim her in his embrace. To have her near again. To make her laugh and smile at him. The only woman he has ever met that he actually finds intriguing. One that he truly wants to get to know. All her deepest darkest secrets and desires. Yes sure. But also, what makes her laugh. What makes her heart pound in joy. What she thinks about trivial things. What she would taste like if he kisses her…
Realization hits him like the shot to his head.
A certain bartender peeks up from the bar he had been hiding behind. Slowly he rises and lightly clears his throat. "So… How was your date?"
"Lovely, Husker… Just lovely."
Electric music blasts through the speakers as the sassy backbone of the V's lounges in their communal penthouse, doing what else than scrolling through Hell's socials to keep up with latest news, trends and discussions on the web. "Boring… Stupid… I mean what the fuck, did she truly wear that shit…."
Velvette was about to call it a night as literally nothing interesting was there to watch when her eyes fall on a picture. Her eyes widen and she sits up straight, nose in her phone to make sure she sees what she is seeing. "Oh. This is good. This is really really good." She says to herself with a fanged grin. With a skip in her step she makes her way down the elevator, going to Vox's operating room where said man was indeed sitting plugged in, running through some video material to launch the next day. "Vox~ I got some news about your boy."
"Hm? What is it with Valentino now? Did he kill one of your models again?" Vox asks unamused, not in the mood to have to quell his temper tantrums again.
Velvette takes a seat on the desk in front of the man. "No no no. Your other boy. Deer Al-ass-tor."
Vox's screen glitches for a second as his face scrunches into nothing less than pure unfiltered resentment. "Well, are you going to make me guess or-"
Velvette uses her bluetooth to send the screen live to the big Tv. A large picture, taken from a distance away but still very clear as it is zoomed in a lot. There he sits, at a balcony table at a lunchroom whatever place, Alastor, a soft smile on his lips and for once completely unglitched on a picture as he probably was distracted. And the reason why is strikingly clear. Because his hand rests on the cheek of another. A lady with painfully white braided hair and a fair whitish/grayish skin. Velvette swipes the next picture to the two of them laughing. Another where Alastor is holding his cup of coffee as he watches the woman in front of him with fondness as she digs into something sweet. Another picture, in a club this time, where he holds the woman up high in the air, appearing to be thoroughly enjoying a dance. Wings that stick out of the woman's back wide and finally visible. Lastly, a video, Alastor and the woman in close embrace as he slowly and gently sways them to the music. She giggles as he gently makes her spin again before pulling her close against him once more. Soft inaudible chatter between them.
"Looks like your arch nemesis has found himself a sweetheart. Or a bite for later more likely." Velvette says as she observes her nails.
"No." Velvette raises one eyebrow as she looks at Vox's wide sharp toothed grin, his eyes glued on the screen, storing the images in his mind. Assessing the interaction between the two. Watching every expression Alastor makes. The way he touches her. The way his eyes hood. He cares about this woman. And if that is true, he has just found Alastor's greatest weakness. "I need to know everything about her." He puts his hand on the screen, on her face, before his nails scratch it. "Everything."
I honestly loved writing this chapter so much. I couldn't bring myself to cut their date (IT'S NOT A DATE) shorter haha.